Gut microbiota pattern in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia

TL;DR

This study found that gut bacteria patterns differ in children with newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia and may affect disease progression.

Contribution

The study identifies specific gut microbiota patterns associated with early remission and persistent ITP in children.

Findings

Three bacterial strains were found only in newly diagnosed ITP patients.

Bifidobacterium was lower in patients but higher in those with persistent ITP.

Phascolarctobacterium and Lactobacillus were more common in ITP patients than controls.

Abstract

Many autoimmune diseases pathophysiology are linked to gut microbiota alteration. We investigated the role of microbiota in newly diagnosed Immune Thrombocytopenia (N-ITP) to determine microbiota changes and its influence on disease course.

Fifty children with N-ITP (patient group) and 30 control were recruited. 7 microbiota genera were measured in stool samples by real time PCR during the 1st week of presentation before therapy. Bleeding assessment tool and complete blood count (CBC) were performed at enrollment and after 1 week, 1month and 3 months follow-up period.

Early remission occurred in more than 70% of patients. Three strains were isolated only from N-ITP cases and were none in control group. Bifidobacterium spp. Detected at a lower rate in patient group compared to control group, but significantly higher in patients progressing to persistent ITP (P-ITP) than patients showing early remission. Phascolarctobacterium and Lactobacillus detected at significant high rate in N-ITP group compared to control group. Those who show early remission had higher detected level of Phascolarctobacterium than patients progressing to P-ITP. Lachnospiracceae was detected only in N-ITP who showed early remission. Bacteroides was not detected neither in patients nor control.

Gut microbiota behave in different pattern in children with N-ITP and this behavior seems to influence the disease course and may have an impact on future adjunct ITP therapy.

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